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There came a time when mermaids existed outside of fiction. Once upon a time ago, they existed alongside humans, but never in perfect harmony as one would anticipate. Resentment built between both species, because of humans and their means to taint the oceans with their toxins, their kill, and nets. Many mermaids sought vengeancefor abusing their fellow creatures of the ocean. Yet within the eternal war between land and sea, there was an exception, a story of a mermaid who changed it all, most would like to forget, the mermaid who had no name.
Unlike most mermaids, described in lithe and light, her grace was sourced from the darkest depths of ice-cold waters. She had long, curly dark hair that shone like silk when she swam. Her skin was freckled, golden brown, with long arms and a nimble-waisted torso. Her breasts were often covered with necklaces made from netting and shells, spare a few wilting flowers. But it was her eyes that stood out the most. Her eyes were even darker than her hair, so dark no one could ever see her pupils. But when she smiled, they glinted gold, like a treasure that man would be stupid to ever credit themselves in discovering. When the mermaid was younger, she often toyed with humans and their emotions. Harmless pranks started out with severing the anchor of certain ships with her supernatural strength, other times she would lour boats to jagged edges just to watch them sink. Her mother warned her to keep her distance, but it wasn’t enough for the daughter of the ocean.
It wasn’t enough to watch chaos form in the distance. She wanted to find more elaborate means of trickery. So with her powers, she discovered a temporary human form. Come nightfall, she would sneak from her watery confines to explore the port town nearby. Things were so different up upon land, to the girl. Lights moved around her. Land animals of all sizes were being moved onto different ships. People bustled the crowded streets, as she wandered beneath a cloak. And each night, she would seek refuge in crowded pubs. Here, men were at their most foolish- she would make it a game to guess her name- whichever winner, would be granted a healing kiss. In her silvery voice, she only gave one clue.
“I was born in darkness, but my heart is full of light. What is my name?”
It only took one of great intelligence to know the meanings of certain names. And it was even more entertaining for the girl to laugh in the faces of several incorrect answers, most patrons chasing after her into dawn, only to scratch their heads at her sudden disappearance. She marveled at their nature to search for a kiss, for anything- the lonely lives of sailors was something she found solace in, for she was just as lonely as they.
On a fateful summer’s eve, the fate of her mischief changed.
While residing in a pub, a man approached the maid.
He was younger than most of the men who would speak to her, perhaps the closest in age by four years to her eighteen. He had bright red hair and pale blue eyes. Something about his stark looks and pale brow frightened and dazzled her so, in a way no one ever had. She hadn’t seen hair that fiery in her little life. The tall, brawny young man sauntered his way across loose floorboards to her, a stein in hand. The mermaid rolled her shoulders back, extending her pretend legs to the side, baring her beautiful skin in a sinking blouse that hung loosely around her shoulders.
“Hello, sailor.” She mused, “What brings you here?”
“I could ask the same of you.” He said, sitting before her, “Such a beautiful young girl hanging around all these cruel men. Where are your parents?”
“Never mind them.” She remarked, “I can take care of myself. What is your name, fair sailor?”
“Taliesin.” He said, offering his hand to her, planting a kiss atop her gentle palm. The gesture and brush of his gentle, calloused lips made her heart sigh within her chest.
“And who, may I ask, are you?” Taliesin asked.
“That is for you to find out.” She remarked a mischievous hue in her smile, pulling her hand away.
He tilted his head, raising his brow, “I must guess?”
“Yes, sailor.” She crooned, “And if you guess correctly by the end of tonight, you may be granted a kiss.”
Taliesin chuckled, shaking his head. He smiled for the first time, bright and full of sharp white teeth.
“Very well, mysterious woman. Does your participant earn any hints in this guessing game?”
She sipped his drink, running a hand through her hair, “Only one, fair sailor: I was born in darkness, but my heart is full of light. What is my name?”
He was different in his approach to the usual bout of fools, pausing a moment. He took a sip of his astringent drink, before setting it down and offering his hand once more.
“The night is still young, maiden.” He said, “And you didn’t say anything about dancing. May I take your hand, now? With legs like yours, they deserve to be on display.”
The mermaid was charmed by his words, falling for each and every one of them quicker than sand falling through her hands. When pressed against him through each dance, her heart began to sing in her breast. She moved so fluidly at his side, spinning around in his arms, being carried as if she was weightless, her amazonian height often offputting to most patrons. They swayed together, laughing lightly as old friends would, until the early dawn when the time was slipping away.
It was there, that he walked her to the tide pool’s edge, pressed against an ancient stone at the sand, while the tide was strung out to its furthest peak.
His large hand brushed her hair back, the other pinned to her waist. She tilted her head, observing every trace of his handsome face- the little scars that lined his head, his eyes, and the curve of his lip. Two stars remained in his eyes, lighting them up like two personal tides she would swim in over and over again. Was this love, she wondered, she marveled as he held her so close.
“I have my answer, miss.” He said in a gentle whisper in her ear, chills going down her spine.
“You do?” She asked, smiling wide, “What is it, then?”
“You were born in darkness.” Taliesin recalled, “But your heart is full of light. You were born at night. Only one name I’ve heard once, sailing across the world I’ve heard, but nothing near to your beauty. Your name is Leila- and I pray, am I correct?”
Leila’s lips parted in awe. Not only could he woo her lonely heart, but he also guessed correctly on the first try. A giddy, warm laugh erupted from her chest.
“You are correct, Taliesin.” She smiled from ear to ear, “How did you know?”
“I know many things, Leila.” Taliesin chuckled, “And now I will always remember the name that I adore most. From the prettiest girl I’ve met at this port.”
Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she held him tight laughing. He embraced her, scoping her up in his arms once more. She giggled with delight, as the sun began to rise in the distance.
“Well now, you’ve earned your prize.” Leila said, “Close your eyes, then.”
Taliesin smiled one last time at her, a bit confused, closing his eyes as she requested. He looked so still in his beauty- beneath the harshness, she saw something much more tender, if for a moment.
She leaned in, pressing her lips against his. Taliesin sighed softly, kissing her back, a magical spark forming between the two, or so she thought. She felt herself slipping deeper into his lips, as his hand knotted into her hair. Leila laughed, her reverberations vibrating against him, forming like bubbles at the surface of water. She kissed him again and again, only wanting more of his touch, and his touch alone. Her thoughts were flooded with joy and laughter of what it could’ve meant to have him right there, right then, forever.
Taliesin pulled away and held her close. She anticipated him saying something sweet, something romantic as old love stories made her dream of. He kissed her cheek, nuzzling into it again.
“You know…” He said, “I’ve always wanted to kiss a mermaid.”
Leila’s stomach dropped into her body at the word. Taliesin’s eyes darkened, as he threw her body down onto the wet sand. A shallow wave rolled over her legs, the contact creating a reaction that summoned back into the tail she hid before. Her body was dizzied from the impact against the concrete sand, as she struggled to slip back into the water.
“Now!” A man’s distant voice bellowed.
Nets were thrown over her body, pulling her into a tight ball. She screamed at the top of her lungs, as Taliesin laughed, standing over her body. Several more men surrounded her, trying to grab her writhing body.
“Help!” She screamed to no one, “Let go of me!”
“Stop your squirming, sea wench!” an old man thwarted.
“Taliesin!” Leila screamed as the net closed in tighter around her, “How dare you! You betrayed me!”
“Mermaids around here are sold for a pretty penny.” Taliesin remarked, “As much as I want to keep you all to myself, I will be sure the highest bidder will appreciate you most.”
He leaned down, his wicked face contorting into an evil smile.
“But until then, we can spend our time together another way…” Taliesin’s thumb dragged across her lower lip. Leila, enraged, spat into his face.
Taliesin struck her across the face with the back of his hand, and Leila’s consciousness went dark.
Leila woke a few hours after e to the sound of gulls and crashing waves. A small beam of sunlight pierced her eyes from loose floorboards above her head. The air was thick and warm with the stench of mildew. As she tried to move, she realized her hands were bound above her head- the second half of her body confined to a barrel of salted water. She squirmed, as footsteps paced above her head.
Leila had no clue where she was. Her heart began racing, as panic and fear set in. Tears filled her eyes- a dangerous concoction of rage and heartbreak. She missed her family, she feared that they were searching for her. But it was clear no one could come to her rescue. She realized at this moment this was nothing like fairytales, that she had to save herself. And it was clear that according to humans, she would never be seen as anything other than a prize stock she always saw being paraded at port. She cursed herself to be so foolish to make herself a prize, make herself be perceived- one that would haunt her for the rest of her life.
The doors creaked open, bringing more light in, making Leila wince. Anger tainted her heart, as she was ready to rip the rope from her hands and wrap them around the throat of anyone who dared to come near.
But no man stood before her- only a woman, perhaps a year or two older than Leila in age. Fatigue took its toll on her once fresh face, making her cheeks appear more sullen and worn. Tendrils of pale hair fell from her braid, into her eyes, drifting like stray pieces of gold. Dark circles graced her brown eyes, as she walked forward. Leila flinched, squirming even more seeing the knife in her hands.
“I will not hurt you, hold still!” She whispered in a hushed tone.
Leila used her tail to flick water into the woman’s eyes, making her seethe.
“How do I trust you?” Leila snapped, “How do I know you’re not one of them?”
“Because I’m Taliesin’s wife.” She said, in a dazed tone, “And you aren’t the first mermaid he’s brought here.”
Leila softened, relaxing her wrists. She frowned in concern, as the woman carefully cut away her ties. She knew nothing of the sanctity of human marriage, let alone his status upon their first meeting.
The woman’s dark eyes were not from a lack of sleep, but from bruises that were slow to heal. Bloodshot red lined the corners of them, as her brown eyes were dulled from pain. Fingertips lined her throat, their nasty imprint against her windpipe. Leila’s eyes filled with tears, as she let the young woman free her. She was overcome with emotion at the sight of her in the harsh light, observing the harsh reality of a man’s hands and what monstrosities they were capable of. No, Leila knew nothing of marriage. But in her heart, she knew that inflicting pain on the ones you claim to love bear no love in their hearts at all.
“I am sorry for scaring you.” Leila said, “But you saved me. Why?”
“Because you do not deserve to be here.” She said, “I have seen harm come to young mermaids like you. I alone cannot satisfy his urge to harm. Not many survive the entire trip. But you… I want you to be free.”
“Come with me.” Leila said, “You’ve set me free, I must repay you for saving my life. I shall give you a new one.”
Her hand reached out, touching her eyes. The woman winced, looking down.
“I cannot.” She said, “I do not deserve a thing from you. When I’ve let so many go into harm's way, I have done nothing to stop it.”
Leila shook her head, “You can come with me. I can help you, so he never lays a hand on you again. The sea gives us all second chances. It is only fair to repay you this way.”
The woman paused, thinking a moment. A smile grew across her face as if a weight was removed from her shoulders.
“Perhaps I will.” She said, “Let me get one thing. You should be free to stand, for a moment. We do not have much time.”
Leila burst out of the barrel, using her last ounce of magic to stand. The rescuer walked to the edge of the ship, sitting on its wooden side as if it were a chaise. She struggled with something in her lap, a heavy black ball, that she clutched as if her life depended on it. Leila was confused, that out of all the golden trinkets that lay around, she reached for an object so odd. Leila hurried to the edge of the ship, her legs dripping with water.
“Captain!” someone shouted, “Sir! She’s escaping! She’s got Helena!”
Helena smiled wearily at Leila.
“Let us go.” She said, offering her hand.
Leila smiled a moment at her, taking her hand, “I knew you liked my offer. Let us go, together.”
Leila had held many hands in her lifetime, but none compared to the compassionate touch of her rescuer. A stranger, really, as much as Taliesin was, but no tinge of evil. For once in her life, Leila felt safe. If it were not for their circumstances, she would have stayed that way.
Both women leaned back, falling together towards the crashing waves. Leila’s eyes closed, the rush of escape filling her lungs better than any air could. She felt weightless, even more so from a man’s arms, she wondered if this was what it was like to fly, as they both crashed into the wave's icy surface together. Helena’s grip tightened against Leila’s palm, soon growing soft as the ocean swallowed them both, the rip current pushing them far below what sailors could see.
Taliesin caught wind of his crew member’s cries, running from the front of the ship to where they jumped, hearing a crash in the wild waves. But alas, he was too late. The ship was going too fast to find their bodies, which had disappeared beneath the surface of white foam.
“No!” He shouted, “Helena?! Where are you?!”
It was the only ounce of concern he had in his body, which fell to madness at the sight of her knife being cast so carelessly on the floor at his feet, as rage came over him.
Leila opened her eyes back to warmer waters surrounding her, an entire wide space of dark blue open with barely any sea life. She was not familiar with the area, but would soon follow cooler temperatures back home.
“We are free!” Leila exclaimed, her tail flicking around, “Helena, you saved us! We-”
She looked around, her excitement fading. There was no sign of her companion.
“Helena?” She called, “Where are you?”
A trail of bubbles many feet below Leila guided her.
In a panic, Leila swam as fast as she could deeper into the sand. Helena’s limp body clutched the blackened cannonball tight against her breast, as a faint smile continued across her cheeks, her golden hair floating free.
Leila began to weep, shoving the heavy ball to the side, as she caught Helena’s lifeless body.
“This was not what I meant about a second chance.” Leila shuddered, “Helena, please, wake up…. Please.”
But the mermaid was too late.
Helena’s pale body rested limply in Leila’s arms, finally at peace in the misery of her short life. Leila’s fingertips brushed her dull eyes shut, granting them their final rest. She placed a kiss on the girl’s brow, letting the current take her body away. She would not be safe on land. But now, her body would have a life here, returned to where it belonged. Leila watched as Helena’s body drifted further, and further beyond her until the body was nothing but a speck in the distance.
Leila clutched her chest, feeling nothing but pain inside of her at what she had witnessed. Her limbs trembled in anger, as she swam back home, her tears filling the surge of a summer storm.
That night, many said from shore they could hear a woman’s cries, but no source. It was Leila on that cruel afternoon, seeing a life taken for the first time at the abuse of another human. She did not hate humans, not all of them at least. She hated what they would use their powers for. She hated how they tricked her, how she wasn’t the only one. And because of the abuse- Helena saw no other means of safety than to take her own life.
And the next morning, no one questioned why Taliesin’s ship was beached onto shore, smoldering and rotting at the same time, without survivors to tell the tale of their demise.
Leila’s heart grew cold, for several years following the death of her kindred Helena. She swore to never love, or hold anyone close to her heart in fear of losing them, the way she lost a girl she barely knew. A young woman who harbored love and light in her heart, even for a complete stranger in the last minutes of her life. Leila continued to wreak havoc on the boats that hunted whales, out of spite even though Taliesin was long since dead. Time passed this way, as she used her strength to inflict pain instead of mischief.
She haunted the edges of her home by luring men to the rip current, the same one that pulled Helena down so, very far. Usually, they were sober enough to escape, but seeing the fear in their eyes was enough to feel some solace, some peace to relive the revenge she wrought so many years ago.
But even then, she was never satisfied. The routine of exploring the shore and its changing ports grew boring to her. Hearing the screams of fear was just as monotonous to her as the sound of crashing waves. It was all too much the same, to find comfort or vengeance in any human she came across. Not until, at least, she began residing near a sea cave for a sense of peace, away from everyone else.
❣
An isolated sea cave brought Leila some sense of solace that neither the open ocean nor ships could ever bring. As the lives of those she used to know grew apart, she sought comfort in the slippery, jagged sides of her cave, where pockets of both fresh and saltwater formed. She made friends here, many of them small crabs, who often mused about the growing world around them. She was safe from humans here, or so she thought, on the cave’s sand bar, which pressed against tide pools.
Leila spent many mornings in the light, despite her deepest instinct telling her to hide in darkness forever. She lay atop warm rocks during low tide, sleeping soundly until a strange noise woke her from slumber.
Footsteps stumbled across wet rock, squeezing their way in an intricate fashion until growing nearer to her. Leila quickly ducked back into a shallow wave, hiding behind a clutch of barnacles.
“Now this is the place to paint.” A voice remarked, “Not with all those fools and their elementary easels, and all their stupid little children screaming in my ears.”
Leila frowned in annoyance. An unwelcomed guest finally made its way to her home. Now she had to move again, after just getting comfortable.
She peered around the corner of the rock’s edge to see who this home invader was, wondering if she was seconds from killing him next.
He wasn’t a menacing, burly man like many she saw in the early morning hours. His frame was rather trim, with rolled-up pants and sleeves baring brown skin. The wind picked up in his black hair, curling them slightly on its edge. Behind a pair of glasses, his warm dark eyes focused on a canvas that was held up by an easel. He was not here for her- he was there to work on something else entirely. And Leila waited, a very long time, wondering why. She wouldn’t frighten him away, not until she found out exactly what he was working on.
Leila cursed her immature, urgent curiosity, as she watched him. His focus was elsewhere, fixated on the horizon behind her. He placed his thumb out, adjusting it exactly to the landscape.
“There you go, that is what was missing.” He talked to himself, continuing to work. His brush dipped into substances on a palette, as he worked. She waited there for several hours, as the sun grew over the horizon, high enough to cast heat on the back of her head.
In the late afternoon, he said nothing and saved his work, as Leila could only catch a glimpse of what was beneath his arm. His talent was in copying the ocean’s reflection, the shading of his work almost exactly like the beauty she saw. But at the same time, she was relieved he was gone. The only proof of his existence is in the footprints he left behind- as well as a small pocket watch, ticking away blissfully on a stone. She snatched it for herself. That was it, she thought. When he realizes he has forgotten his pocketwatch, he will return. And then, she can give him a good telling off.
A handful of people always lost their belongings in the ocean. She collected many rings this way, some earrings, and a few other trinkets. And usually, there was a photograph of a special someone on the watch’s side. As she opened it, there was no one there to grace their presence. She hummed, snapping it back shut, shaking her head. Surely, she wasn’t going to let him linger around long enough for that to happen.
The next morning sun rose, but he had not arrived. Leila waited patiently on the sand’s edge in her human form, pacing back and forth. She grew impatient, disappointed at his absence.
“Here it is, pray a second!” A familiar voice beckoned, “I will be a moment, professor!”
“Hurry up then, Lucian!” A graveled voice barked, “I don’t pay you to lose your things in ocean caves.”
Leila dipped beneath the surface of a freshwater pocket as he approached.
“Very excellent point, sir!” He croaked, “Where is it? Where-”
He wore a suit, in contrast to the shirt and bare feet he donned yesterday. Notes of cologne followed as he searched for his watch.
“No, not here. I swear, it was on this rock.” Lucian muttered, “Am I losing my sanity?”
Leila frowned and tossed the watch onto the sand.
He yelped, flinching at the sound. Leila covered her own mouth and held back laughter at his reaction.
“What?” Lucian stammered, “Who was that? Who’s there?! Come out or leave my things alone, do you hear?!”
Leila grinned, both afraid and entertained by his remarks. She dipped back beneath the surface of her fresh water filter, leaving a flicker of her tail to splash some against the rim of the pocket’s entrance.
The splash interrupted Lucius from his thoughts, as he saw the water disturbed as if someone jumped in. His thoughts wandered once more and shook his head. He took off his sunglasses to try and make them stop.
“Of course, I’d be the only one here.” Lucius muttered, “Why would I? That was probably some fish…. Eugh. I just remembered how I despised the beach. The salt and the sunburn from yesterday prove it so.”
He walked away, to whatever professor was calling him, with hesitance in his strides. He looked back in her direction one last time, eyes glazed towards the horizon. Leila leaned in closer and saw his face. Lucien’s antics humored her so, almost as a pet would. Leila laughed as she realized he forgot another thing- a ballpoint pen in his pocket, that fell out as he jumped in fear. She picked it up, poking her fingertip in the ink. He got away too easily this time, next time he would come back for his pen, and that’s when she would scare him. She swore it to herself.
This was one of many items she would steal when he wasn’t looking- his watch, although it was her favorite, meant too much to him. She moved to his wallet, his paintbrushes, coins, and even his glasses. It would be anything she could get her hands on to try and see him again. Even if it drove him mad, she found it humorous to see him so flustered over the smallest inconveniences. It was like their little game, without him even knowing.
This unspoken game between them both did not last.
Leila’s ideas of trickery became bolder by the day. And there was one item she wanted most- a leatherbound sketchbook. It would be the only way she could actually see his work.
Lucien sat at his usual station, closing his eyes a moment between brush strokes to bask in the sun. Leila saw this as her chance, creeping off the stone walls of the cave. His sketchbook rested over a leather bag beside him. Lucien approached the water’s edge to wet his feet. Leila knelt down, taking his eyes off him. She began thumbing through the pages of charcoal and pencil, seeing rougher sketches of rock formations and sea creatures lining the pages almost exactly as she saw them. Her fingertips smudged the edge of a page, only to realize it was her figure sitting a top her favorite stone, with the sun backlit to her. Leila couldn’t help but look in awe. She had never looked more beautiful in someone else’s eyes, even at a quick glance. Suddenly, a firm grip latched onto her wrists.
“Got you, you little thief!” Lucien huffed, attempting to pull Leila to her feet.
Leila froze under his gaze, trying to yank herself out of his grip, finding no words in response to him.
He laughed bitterly, “So you’re the one always sneaking my things! I know that face wasn’t just a dream! And here I thought I was going mad, being haunted by you.”
Her usual languid expressions came to a full stop at the sight of his face, as he held her so. At the same time, his stubborn, angry front was dissipating at the sight of hear. Her heart was filled with dread, and she feared the growing sensation of something different in her breast- not hatred, but perhaps something along the lines of adoration. Leila quickly freed herself from his grip, running away from him. She ran as fast as she could, while the man chased after her.
“Hey!” He called, “Who are you?”
The page dropped from her hand.
He did not scream at her, with vile intent. His voice was tinged with concern, but she could only focus on running, as far away as possible until dove headfirst into waves, swimming far away as she could away from her favorite artist. She revealed herself too soon. It would only be a matter of time before she would have someone after her again. She remained elsewhere for the remainder of summer, to ensure that she and the artist could never meet again.
In her temporary dwelling, Leila grew lonely. She missed the quiet presence of her human home invader. Lucien wasn’t like the others. He never sought to damage or harm her home, or her friends. She treaded with respect, and she realized that she failed to do the same by stealing everything from him, even if it was just small items. One was the first button of his white shirt, one she pressed her lips against in his absence. Guilt and shame overcame her. There was so much more she wanted to say, an apology would start.
At the edge of August, Leila returned to her cave. But something was different. The water was choppier here. She struggled to move through the currents, stumbling into tangles of seaweed. Darker waters bled onto the sand bar’s edges like ink on thin paper. She checked the shoreline, to see that Lucien was waiting there a lot later than he should have.
Lucien was not focused on his work- the easel meant nothing to him now, carelessly tossed aside. He squirted, looking forward into the horizon.
“Hello!” He called, “Girl! Please, don’t swim away!”
Leila nodded, placing her hand out to him.
“Stay on the sand!” She pleaded, “It is not safe here!”
But the waves were so loud, he could not hear her. Lucien ran into the water at his waist length, wincing from the icy temperature.
“I’m sorry!” He called, “For frightening you so. I should’ve respected your space, dear mermaid! You deserve to be left alone for what we’ve done to you!”
“Hold on!” Leila called, but he was too far away.
A wild wave twice Lucien’s height threw him under the surface. Leila dove back beneath to search for him, finding herself trapped in the water’s violent currents. The riptide pulled Lucien’s body towards sharp stones, casting a blow to the back of his head. He did not stand a chance against the tide that pulled him out towards sea. Leila panicked, forcing her way through to find his body. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him above the surface. Water was in his lungs, as his head hung back. Leila’s arms squeezed him tighter, attempting to shake the water out of him, but it was no use. The mermaid carried his body to shore, far above the line that wicked currents had attempted to take his life.
His soft lips slowly grew blue at their edges from the lack of hair. Leila began to panic, as she thumped her palm against his breast.
“Please.” she prayed to no one, “Please do not go. I cannot lose you too.”
Bad memories of Helena’s death came back to her, as she continued pounding on his chest. In a final effort, she pressed her lips against his, pulling as much water as she could from his body. Saltwater mixed with her tears began filling her mouth, escaping from his. Lucien’s head jerked back, as he began coughing, wide-eyed and full of fear. Leila carefully cradled his head, tears forming at the edges of her eyes as he gasped for air. Leila smoothed away wet black tendrils of hair out of his eyes, as he came to. Lucien sighed a breath of relief, finding comfort in her touch as he looked at her above.
“Did I hit my head that hard?” Lucien asked, “Have I finally entered heaven?”
Mermaids knew nothing of heaven. Leila laughed, brushing his cheek.
“No, you are very much alive.” She responded, holding him tight in her grasp, “I was trying to tell you the tide was too strong to go out.”
“I was afraid of seeing you go again.” He sighed, “I was too cruel to you.”
“And now I saved you.” Leila said warmly, “Now you owe me more.”
“I always dreamt of finding a way to rescue a girl.” He said, “Silly, I’m sure. I never thought that anyone would ever want to rescue me, especially after coming into your home, and-”
She kissed his forehead softly, easing the painful throbbing at the back of his skull.
“You do not have a cruel bone in your body.”
Lucien slowly rose, marveling at Leila.
“What’s your name, dear maid?”
“I’ll give you one clue, Lucien.” She mused, “One clue, and you can have my heart.”
Lucien was not seen after that day. Many search parties came for him, but with no success. The only clue of the life he left behind was a single painting on display in the cove. A beautiful, black-haired mermaid basking in the sun, surrounded by sapphire waves. And scribed beneath in black ink, was a single name.
Leila.